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that Ian feared than that someone would try to snatch his prize from him before he could enjoy it. He did not say that to Alinor, only, as he rose to speak to the group of men Beorn had chosen, he urged her to set Father Francis to work on the marriage contract. |
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"I will sign it as soon as I return or, if I am away longer than I think to be, you can send it to me by messenger, and I will sign." |
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"But what shall I say? And I need a list of your holdings. Why such haste?" |
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He looked at her for a long moment before replying, and a red spark flickered in his dark eyes. Alinor found her breath quickening under his stare. For that brief time, a hot avidity showed in his face that roused an instant response in her. Ian muttered something under his breath that Alinor did not ask to have repeated. Then he cleared his throat. |
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"Do not act the fool. Once that contract is signed, the king will need to fight the Church to get you out of my hands. And he has trouble enough with Church matters just now not to desire to add any straws to the ass's load. I will send you a list of my lands. It will give me something to do while I wait for the reavers. As to what to say" Suddenly he looked away, and the animation died out of his face. "The contract you signed with Simon will do for me, except that you must add that if I do not get heirs of my body on you, my lands are to go to Adam. Ifif aught befall Adam, which God forbidthen to Joannaor to Adam's heirs or Joanna's in the event I and their children survive them." |
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Alinor wished she could say something to comfort him. What was there to say to a man who was forcing himself to marry his friend's wife to protect her? Ian kissed her hand as he was leaving the table and said he would return for a word just before he left the keep. Perhaps he could close his eyes, Alinor thought bitterly, and see a different face. All bodies were like enough |
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